July 2009 printer-friendly page (text only)

The 2009 Live Well Challenge is here!

Registration is underway for one of King County’s most popular health events - the Live Well Challenge!

The Live Well Challenge is an annual team-based event open to all King County employees. Last year, almost 1,000 employees participated in this friendly, healthy competition vying for points, pride, and prizes. Here are the details for the 2009 event.

What's new?

• New team categories
  This year there are two team categories:
• Traditional Team – consists of 3-10 King County employees including the Team Captain. All team members must be King County employees. All employees are eligible to participate (e.g. full time, part-time, STT and TLT).
• Couples Team – consists of one King County employee and their spouse/domestic partner (spartner). In order to participate, the spartner must be covered by King County benefits.
  
• Team members enter their own activity
  Previously team members provided their weekly point totals to their Team Captains who were responsible for reporting the point totals for the entire team. This year you are in charge of reporting what you do. Just log in at least once each week to record your activity.
  
• Record activity, not points
  Instead of entering points each week, simply record your activity on-line and your points will be automatically calculated!

When is it?

• Registration
  Registration opens June 29 and closes July 19, 2009 Due to programming changes this year, no late registrations can be accepted.
• Event
  The Live Well Challenge officially begins on July 20 and ends on August 30, 2009. That’s six weeks of fun, friendly, healthy competition!

Why participate?

1. It’s fun. Employees who have participated in the Live Well Challenge loved it. It’s a fun, informative way to learn how to improve your health.
2. It’s motivating. The camaraderie and friendly competition can help keep you motivated to meet national guidelines for nutrition and physical activity. It’s also a great way to keep the momentum going after you finish your individual action plan.
3. It’s flexible. You choose the activities your want to participate in.  Ate three servings of veggies? Walked for 30 minutes? It all counts!
4. It’s about health. The Challenge can help you make changes that will improve your overall health and wellness.

The Live Well Challenge is coordinated by the Health Matters team in response to employee requests for a workplace-focused event that rewards healthy behaviors. If you haven’t participated in the past, this is the year to step up to the challenge!

Need some inspiration? Read last month’s article “Live Well Challenge creates lasting change” which highlights the story of the 2008 Public Health team the Phytonutrient Nibblers.

For more information or to register check out the Live Well Challenge Web site or call 206-263-7333.

Healthy Incentives^SM: improving health and curbing costs

King County employees and spartners are doing their part to embrace healthier lifestyles and control costs, according to data compiled by the King County Health Reform Initiative. The county has curbed projected costs by $18 million since the Healthy IncentivesSM program began in 2005. Healthy IncentivesSM will continue in 2010 with enhancements that respond to employee feedback.

Results
Since Healthy IncentivesSM began in 2005, King County’s health care costs are lower than expected and employees are healthier.

Cost Savings
King County has reduced escalating health care costs by $18 million since the Health Reform Initiative began.  Medical costs increases have slowed from an 11 percent growth to 9 percent growth from 2005 to 2008. Employees will contribute $37 million over 3 years to decrease costs thanks to a deal negotiated with unions.

2005 - 2008: 11%  9% = $18M avoided costs
2010 – 2012: $37 million in hard dollars from increased co-pays and co-insurance

High Employee Engagement
Employee participation rates in the wellness assessment are consistently above 90 percent. The number of people who then follow up with an individual action plan that addresses their health risks has increased from 88 percent in 2006 to 92 percent in 2008. The program also remains popular with employees and their spartners. 

Healthier Employees
More employees are at lower risk for developing a chronic health condition because of unhealthy lifestyle choices. The number of people taking the wellness assessment categorized as high risk has dropped from 44 percent in 2006 to 34 percent in 2009. The number of low risk people has increased from 51 in 23006 to 60 percent in 2009. Significant health improvements have been made in 12 out of 14 health behaviors and biometrics including depression, injury prevention, mental health, nutrition, sun damage behavior, stress, BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking and alcohol use. In 2008 there was slight backsliding in progress in some areas, but momentum has picked back up in 2009 producing net positive results on 12 health indicators since the program began.
Changing behaviors: since inception of the Health Reform Initiative King County employees and their spouses/domestic partners have shown significant improvement in 12 of 14 behaviors and biometrics.

These health improvements are particularly notable given our stable employee base with an average age of 47. Without effective interventions, an aging population would expect to see decreases in health indicators year over year. King County has been successful not only in keeping the healthy people healthy, but in actually motivating positive health changes in its populations. Improvements in BMI and smoking are particularly notable as these changes are particularly difficult for individuals to make and carry proven ROI in medical claims. BMI risk for the King County population has gone down from 67.8 percent in 2006 to 65.4 percent in 2009. Smoking has dropped from 10.4 percent to 6.2 percent.

Enhancements coming in 2010-2012

In 2010-2012 employees and their spouses/domestic partners will continue to participate in the wellness assessment and individual action plans to earn the silver or gold out of pocket expense levels.  We have enhanced the program based on employee feedback and long term program objectives.  

Employee feedback
Feedback gathered through an annual employee survey, bi-annual spartner survey and lots of phone calls to BROS indicate you wanted us to:

1. Eliminate waiting time in the process
2. Create equity between coaching alls and activity logging
3. Expand the choices of individual action plans
4. Improve the coaching program
5. Reduce confusion related to progress tracking

Operationally, we wanted to sustain and build on behavior change achievements, and eliminate operational inefficiencies.  We also wanted to save money.

Program Enhancements
These program enhancements will respond directly to employee feedback.

1. No waiting. Find out your wellness assessment results and start your individual action plan right away.
2. Everyone will have the same milestones for achieving gold.
3. Greater choice in individual action plans. New individual action plans give people more choice about how to maintain or improve their health.
4. Track your progress on the road to gold. You will be able to track your progress at each step of the way on the road to gold.
5. The quality of coaching will be vastly improved. Additionally, employees and their spartners can expect to see these changes
6. Easier process. The wellness assessment and individual action plans will be available from one portal page that puts you in the driver’s seat for better health.

The Health Reform Initiative is able to deliver these changes at an annual cost savings of $500,000 to the county.

More information to come

We are excited to unveil further details of the program to employees beginning this fall. We will conduct an extension outreach and education campaign to introduce you to the enhanced program and let you talk to us face to face about what’s new.

Health Hero Jane Hague

During bike to work month in May, I took advantage of sunny days to get some exercise and use a different mode of transportation to get from the Eastside into work at the King County Courthouse. Riding over the I-90 Bridge on a beautiful Thursday morning, Mt. Rainier towering in the south, I didn’t have to worry about traffic as I made my way into work

The month of May was “Bike to Work Month” sponsored by the Cascade Bicycle Club.  Over 10,000 riders participated and logged nearly 1 million miles!  This is wonderful!  That means fewer cars on the road and best of all a healthy start and finish to the day for each of these riders.  The team captains and organizers did a great job, and I want to thank them for encouraging people to participate.

I have been a cyclist for over ten years and have enjoyed it as a great way to not only exercise but also just to get around.  This is the first time I have used my bike to commute and I had such a great time that I will definitely be doing more of it! 

Biking is a great way to get in shape and the trail system in King County makes it easy to commute to work, no matter where you live.  If you are a long time cyclist who has never commuted on your bike or someone who is just starting out, I would encourage you to give it a try. 

Riding in to work from the Eastside will be even more appealing in July as Washington State Department of Transportation officials close down three westbound lanes on the I-90 Bridge.  On beautiful Pacific Northwest days like I enjoyed, riding your bike to work is fun and a great way to be healthy.

Happy riding!

Councilmember Jane Hague

Eat Smart: Reducing your exposure to pesticides in produce

With farmers’ markets and gardening season officially in full swing, fresh produce is plentiful. To help you identify fruits and vegetables with higher and lower pesticide risk scores , the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County has developed a Shopper’s Tips for Buying Fruits & Vegetables wallet card.

In general*

• Fleshy fruits and thin-skinned vegetables are the most likely to have higher pesticide residues in USDA tests of conventionally-grown produce.
• Thick-skinned fruits and vegetables, or ones with outer skins that are not consumed, such as bananas, citrus fruits, onions and pineapples, consistently have very low pesticide residues in their edible portions.

• Buy organically-grown fruits and vegetables whenever possible.
  Organic produce tends to have much lower pesticide residues than conventionally grown produce. But organic foods are often more expensive. If you can only buy a limited amount of organic produce, buy those fruits and vegetables ranked in the higher risk section on the Shopper’s Card.
  
  
• Choose U.S. grown produce.
  If you can't find organic fruits and vegetables, try to buy produce that is grown in the U.S. Imported produce tends to have higher pesticide levels. 
  
  Buying locally grown produce is also a good choice. Shop at your local farmers’ market and ask the farmer about pesticide use. For a list of local farmers’ markets, produce stands and U-Pick farms visit Puget Sound Fresh.
  
  Another option is to grow your own pesticide-free produce. Start a vegetable garden in your backyard or join a community garden.
  
  
• Always wash fruits and vegetables to remove dirt and residues.
  Thoroughly wash all produce under running water. At least two studies have found that washing produce under tap water for at least 30 seconds reduces most pesticide residues. No significant additional benefit is achieved from using specially-marketed “veggie wash” products.
  
  For produce with a thick, edible skin such as apples, potatoes and cucumbers, use a small scrub brush to clean the outer layer.
  

Remember, to maximize health benefits, you should eat at least 2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables each day. The information provided here can help you to make smarter choices that minimize your exposure to pesticides but it shouldn’t discourage you from eating fruits and vegetables.

Go to the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County Web site to download the wallet card or call 206-263-3050 to request a copy. The card is available in 11 languages.

*Based on United States Department of Agriculture data and using the Environmental Protection Agency's dietary risk characterizations.

The first twenty callers who contact the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County will receive a free vegetable scrub brush. Call: 206-263-3082

Being creative with your fruits and veggies is a fun a way to express the theme of this holiday. Try a meal that includes fruits or vegetables that are red, white and blue.

• RED: Strawberries, cherries and watermelon.
• WHITE: bananas, cauliflower and mushrooms.
• BLUE: blueberries, plums and eggplant.

For a fun and festive fourth of July try this Patriotic Potato Salad.

Nutrition labels in restaurants: Tell us your story!

After a busy day at work, a young couple met at a chain restaurant for dinner. The server seated them and pointed out that next to the menu items were calorie, saturated fat, carbohydrate and sodium counts. Curious, the couple took a closer look at the new nutrition labels.

Have nutrition labels in food and beverage chains influenced what you order for yourself or your child? Public Health researchers want to know! King County food and beverage chains with 15 or more locations nationwide must post nutrition labels in restaurants. (See the March Health Matters newsletter article, “King County makes eating healthier easier”.)

How well is it working? Do people see and use restaurant nutrition labels? If so, what types of people are more likely to use it? Does it matter where the nutrition labels are posted? To answer these questions, researchers at Public Health - Seattle & King County have teamed up with Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the University of Washington to find out if the nutrition labeling policy helps customers make healthier choices.

Researchers also want to know how the policy affects restaurants. For example, are chain restaurants changing how they promote healthful eating? Are they changing menus to offer healthier menu options or decrease portion sizes?

Does Providing Nutrition Information at the Point of Purchase Affect Consumer Behavior?

A new research synthesis by Healthy Eating Research provides the latest information on the use of menu labeling in food establishments, such as restaurants and cafeterias, and the potential impact of labeling on consumers’ food and beverage selections. Key findings include:

• Most consumers would like to see nutrition information in the places where they go out to eat.
• The number of U.S. restaurants that provide nutrition information to consumers has increased over the past decade; however, the majority of restaurants do not provide consumers with this information at the point of purchase (e.g., on the menu).
• Most consumers underestimate the number of calories and fat in away-from-home foods and tend to make greater errors when menu items are high in calories or when they are ordering from establishments that promote themselves or their menu items as healthy.
• Requiring restaurants to provide point-of-purchase nutrition information could help reduce obesity by promoting the introduction of healthier menu options. 

Tell us your story!

Are you trying to manage or prevent a chronic condition like diabetes or hypertension? Visit our Web site and let us know how you’re using the new information or if you’re seeing changes in your favorite restaurants.

Swim safe this summer

What better way to beat the heat than a cool dip in a local river, lake, ocean or public pool?  But did you know that almost 10 people drown every day across the nation?* And near-drowning accidents can leave victims with brain injury and life-long disabilities.

Practice Safe Swimming this summer by following these simple tips:

1. Learn to Swim – see the resources on the right
2. Practice floating and treading water
3. Don’t swim in strong tides or fast running water
4. Never dive or jump into shallow water or unfamiliar water
5. Wear a lifejacket, particularly when boating
6. Swim where there’s a life guard
7. Don’t swim while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
8. Watch children closely near pools, spas, tubs and open water
9. Know your limits – drowning can happen when someone is swimming and becomes tired. 
10. Wear sunblock – it won’t help you float, but it will protect your skin from sun damage and skin cancer.  Even waterproof/sweatproof sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2-4 hours.  Reapply more frequently if you’re toweling yourself off or playing contact sports outside.

*Centers for Disease Control 2005 statistics

Safe Swimming Resources:

Public Health Seattle & King County – drowning prevention site

Seattle Parks and Recreation School of Fish program – discounted swimming lessons for school aged child and parent.

Centers for Disease Control healthy swimming

Centers for Disease Control water injuries fact sheet 

King County pools

Seattle Parks pool schedules

Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center
Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Information

Life Jacket Sale – low cost life jackets in infant to adult sizes provided by the City of Seattle at Evans Pool. July 17^th, August 15^th, September 19^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Call 206-684-4961 or visit their Web site for more info.

Move More home page

Move More in July

Hike, walk, run, bike, swim, play and learn. It’s all good in July! Check out these local events.  Remember that the Centers for Disease Control recommends 150 minutes a week of moderate-level physical activity and two days a week of muscle-strengthening exercises.

Walk

Arboretum Walks – July 5 and 19 from the Graham Visitors Center at the Washington Park Arboretum, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.  Free, no pre-registration required.  Call 206-543-8800 or visit www.depts.washington.edu/wpa/adulttours.htm.

Lymphomathon 5K Walk – July 12 at Myrtle Edwards Park.  8 a.m.  Non-competitive walk for survivors, friends, family, community and corporate teams.  Benefits the Lymphoma Research Foundation.  Free but participants are encouraged to raise funds.  Visit www.lymphomathon.org or call 800-235-6848 for info.

Seattle Architecture Foundation tours – Every Thurs, Fri and Sat.  Walking tours begin at 10 a.m. and are about 2 hours long.  Topics include art deco buildings, Pioneer Square – out of the ashes, South Lake Union’s extreme makeover and more.  $15-$20.  Visit www.seattlearchitecture.org or call 206-667-9184.

Run

Crown of Queen Anne Fun Run and Walk - July 11.  3.3 mile fun run/walk circling the crown of Queen Anne Hill.  Flat course with spectacular views.  Run is followed by Children’s Parade and kid activities.  Registration is $30.  Call 206-461-1283 for info.

Seafair Torchlight Run - July 25 at 6:30 p.m.  Participate in an 8K through the Battery Street Tunnel and along the Torchlight Parade route, or a 5K on the Alaskan Way Viaduct.  Participation fee is $20 - $25.  Visit www.seafair.com or call 206-728-0123 for info.

Swedish SummeRun – July 26.  Onsite registration opens at 6 a.m. Events begins at 8:00 a.m.  Choose a 10K run or 5K run/walk.  Proceeds benefit the Marsha Rivkin Center to improve treatment, early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer.  Participation fee ranges from $25 - $30.  Get more info online at www.swedish.org/summerun or call 206-215-6700.

Triathlon

Benaroya Research Institute Triathon at Seafair – July 19th.  Sprint distances (1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike and 3.1 mile run).  Compete individually or in a team.  Register online or call 206-728-0123 for information.  Beginner and experienced triathletes can participate in coached training sessions at Seward Park provided by Raise the Bar.

Hike

Mount St. Helens Institute hikes - July 12 on the Blue Lake Trail and July 26 on the Sprit Lake trail.  These hikes are free and guided by volunteer leaders.  Donations are appreciated.  Limited to 30 participants each hike.  Families welcome. Hikers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.  Bring appropriate gear, water, lunch and extra clothing.  Call 360-449-7883 or visit www.mshinstitute.org/Sundayhikes for info. 

Issaquah Alps Trails Club – Several hikes during June leaving from the clubhouse at First and Bush Streets.  Hikes vary in difficulty, length and time of departure.  Some routes include Cougar Mountain, Rattlesnake Mountain and Tiger Mountain.  Some hikes allow dogs. All hikes require participants carry a day pack with food and water and wear hiking boots.  Visit www.issaquahalps.org for full schedule and details or call 425-641-3815.

Bike

Spokespeople  - July 4 (and the 1st Saturday of every month).  Leisurely paced ride for all skill levels leaving Wallingford at 2 p.m.  Free.  For details, visit www.spokespeople.us or call 206-547-9569. 

Bicycle Sundays –Lake Washington Boulevard from Mount Baker Beach to Seward Park will be closed to motorized traffic every Sunday.  Bike riders and other person-powered vehicles can ride in the middle of the road and enjoy the views from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  For more info on route, times, etc. go to www.seattle.gov/parks/bicyclesunday or call 206-684-4075.

Play

Friday Family Fun Night – at Kirkland’s Peter Kirk Pool.  July 3, 10, 17 and 24.  3 hours of open swimming for $3 plus pool games, fun, music, use of rafts and inner tubes. Visit www.ci.kirkland.wa.us or call 425-587-3350  

MyParksandRecreation.com – search a listing of over 300 activities in 9 cities including Bellevue, Bothell, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Snoqualmie and Woodinville.  Community programs and activities are listed.  Sort by age of participant, day of the week, etc. 

Orienteering – July 26 at Lord Hill Regional Park in Snohomish.  Explore the park searching for checkpoints marked on a map.  Participate as a race or an easy stroll.  No experience required.  Start anytime between 10 a.m. and noon.  $7 - $12.  For info, go to www.cascadeoc.org or call 425-488-3691 for info.

Learn

Search for Owls – July 18th at 8:30 pm at Camp Long in West Seattle.  Bring a flashlight.  Kids 5 and over.  $7 per person.  Call 206-684-7434 for info. 

Explore the Beach at Low Tide  - July 19th at 8:30 a.m. at Discovery Park.  Take a long walk on the rocky beach to explore intertidal life.  Children aged 6 and older.  Free.  Call 206-386-4236 for more info.

Me-Kwa-Mooks beach safari – July 18 at 9 a.m.  Me-Kwa-Mooks park in West Seattle.  Walk on slippery surfaces to see intertidal life at low tide.  Children 3 and older.  Free.  Call 206-684-7434 for info.

TrailsFest – July 18, 10 a.m. at Rattlesnake Lake.  Try fly-fishing, biking, hiking, bird watching, climbing, paddling and more.  Free.  Get more info at www.wta.org/trail-news/trailsfest or call 206-625-1367

Share your favorite activity or submit a Move More testimonial.  E-mail health.matters@kingcounty.gov or call 206-263-6085.

Search for Local Events

If you didn't find what you were looking for, try these sources:
 
Public Health Seattle & King County offers a comprehensive listing of community physical activity events, including bicycling, community service events, gardening, indoor events, outdoor recreation, parks, zoo, aquarium, walking events and local resources.

The Seattle Times has a Community Events listing - search for recreational events by date.

Cascade Bicycle Club  offers an events calendar , free daily rides , bicycle education classes and more. You don’t need to be a member to participate in daily rides, and they’re offered for every level of rider.

Issaquah Alps Trails Club  hosts hikes every week.  Some are dog friendly.

Washington Trails Assocation  offers volunteer opportunities to work on trails for most fitness levels. This is a great way to get involved. WTA also lists a hiking guide and resources for your trip. Don’t forget the 10 essentials.

American Trails   lists resources for information and trails in Washington state.

King County Parks and Recreation maintains the King County Regional Trail System site including trail system highlights, maps, and volunteer opportunities.

Update: Health Hero Helen Ivory

With better weather, I’m able to get out and walk more at lunchtime and break time with my co-workers.  A group of about 5 of us walk together.  We try to vary our route so we don’t get bored.  Mornings we’re usually more apt to do hills than in the afternoon.  If I don’t have a group to walk with, I do a walking loop down 5th to Airport Way and back up 4th. I can do it in about 25 minutes so I can get it in during my 30 minute lunch.

I talked with my doctor about the results of my ID Day results.  He said everything looks good as far as my test results.  I’m not yet at risk for diabetes but he recommended I loose 10% of my body weight to keep out of the risk area. 

I can tell my clothes fit differently so I may be brave enough to get on a scale at the end of the summer.  Something about that weight number is scary.  I’m not big on comparing numbers, so I try to not look at the scale very often. 

My granddaughter is beautiful.  She likes me taking her for walks and she’s just starting to walk herself.  She wants to hold onto my fingers and has me walking all around the apartment.

I’m just not willing to accept that I’m going to expand and expand every year.  I like getting the feedback from my coworkers – that keeps me going especially when it’s hard to get to the gym after work some days.

I feel so much better than I did even a few months ago.  I’m not as winded.  I walk to the train with a co-worker who’s really fit and sometimes I leave her behind.  I have more energy.  I’m having a ball.    

Check back next month for more on Helen’s progress. 

World Health Organization calls H1N1 Flu a pandemic

Public Health prepares for local resurgence this fall and winter

The WHO (World Health Organization)’s announcement of a global pandemic confirms what Public Health – Seattle & King County has anticipated: H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu, continues to spread widely around the world. For weeks Public Health has been intensively preparing for the anticipated return of the virus.

That means we’re continuing to closely monitor disease trends in King County. H1N1 flu is still circulating in our community, but the level of illness appears to be decreasing, with fewer reports of flu-like illness from hospitals and schools. H1N1 virus has caused a disproportionate number of cases and hospitalizations in younger people, with 57 percent of the cases nationally among people aged 5-25 years of age. Forty-one percent of the hospitalizations are also among this age group.

The severity of the H1N1 virus has not changed here in King County or anywhere around the world. The WHO’s declaration of a pandemic is based on geographic spread of the influenza virus, not on the severity of the illness.  Thus far H1N1 influenza has not been more severe than the typical seasonal flu, but since it is a novel virus, many people do not have immunity to it.

Although H1N1 activity is decreasing in King County as we enter the summer, Public Health anticipates significantly more widespread outbreaks this fall and winter. This may include the potential for an increased number of illnesses than during a typical flu season.

This is a critical time to prepare for whatever the flu might bring in the fall.

• Public Health is collaborating with health care, schools and other community partners to be ready.
• Individuals and families must also prepare, including taking steps now to plan for possible school closures (such as setting up alternative child care and finding ways to work from home) and absences from work.
• Businesses and organizations must also be ready to cope with a reduced work force if many become ill or need to stay at home.

Influenza can be serious for many people, regardless of whether it's this new strain of swine flu or the seasonal flu we see annually.

In the coming months, we encourage you to continue to prepare at home, school and work, and to check Public Health’s website for updated information: www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1.

Learn what you can do to protect your family by going to the Public Health H1N1 virus site. For information about H1N1, call the Flu Hotline at 877-903-KING (5464). TTY Relay: 711. Available in English and Spanish/Español.

Financial stress - How it affects you and what you can do

According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, money is a leading source of stress for many Americans. Almost three quarters of respondents (73%) cited money as a significant source of stress in their lives.

The current economic climate, the mortgage crisis and the rising cost of gas and food can all contribute to increased financial stress. This kind of stress is linked to health problems. Individuals who report high levels of financial stress can suffer from a range of stress-related conditions including depression, hypertension, heart attack, insomnia, fatigue, back pain, ulcers, migraines, and weight gain. Anxiety over money can also negatively affect health in other ways:

• Unhealthy coping behaviors — People experiencing financial stress may be more likely to try and cope with their anxiety by smoking, overeating, drinking excessively, gambling or practicing other unhealthy behaviors. This in turn leads to more stress.
  
  
• Less money for self-care — With less money in the budget, people who are already under financial stress tend to cut corners in areas like health care in order to pay for basic necessities like food. Left unchecked, small health problems can turn into large health problems which can be more costly to address or may require time off of work. This also leads to more stress.
  
  
• Lost sleep — When under financial stress, people often experience trouble sleeping. This sleep deficit impairs your cognitive abilities and mood. Studies have also shown that when you're sleep deprived your immune system is impacted and it takes longer to heal.
  
  
• Unhealthy emotions — Financial concerns can also cause unhealthy emotions that can take a toll on health. People can experience anxiety, frustration and a sense of hopelessness as debt piles up and increasing amounts of money are needed just to pay the interest on loans and credit card bills. Poor coping with this stress often leads to self-neglect.

Resources

So what can you do to manage the financial stress you may be feeling? These resources can help you to address your financial concerns and feel more in control of your life, reducing stress and helping you build a more secure future.

• Financial fitness lunch and learn sessions — Bring your lunch and learn critical financial survival skills in these practical sessions.
  
• Financial survival in today's uncertain times
  Date: August 11, 2009
  Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
  Location: Chinook Building, Room 123
  
  
• Making your money work for you
  Date: September 8, 2009
  Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
  Location: Chinook Building, Rooms 121/123
  
• Getting and keeping good credit
  Date: September 22, 2009
  Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
  Location: King Street Center, 8^th Floor Conference Room

This series is sponsored through a partnership between EAP and Making Life Easier, Training and Organization Development and Health Matters.

• Making Life Easier Program — Making Life Easier is a free support and referral program that provides tools and resources to help you resolve personal issues including coping with financial issues. Counselors such as licensed CPAs and Certified Financial Planners are available to consult with you by telephone. Financial services counseling include:
  
• Budgeting
• Credit matters
• Estate planning
• Retirement planning
• College planning
• Investment strategies
• Tax issues
• Insurance buying strategies
• Debt counseling
• Bankruptcy

You can also access online information on a variety of financial topics. Go to: www.kingcounty.gov/employees/eap,

The Making Life Easier program is free to benefit-eligible employees, their dependent family members, and anyone living in the employee’s household. Call the Making Life Easier Program 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 888-874-7290.

Stress Less in the news

• Lack of Good Sleep Might Be Deadly
• Lack of Sleep Can Raise Blood Pressure Over Time
• Work Strife Stresses the Heart
• Across the U.S., Stress Varies by Region
• As Work Stress Rises, So May Depression
• Stress May Encourage E. Coli Illness
• Job Losses Carry High 'Stress Tag'

Other resources

• Guide to cope with recession-related stress — The Department of Health and Human Services recently released an online guide entitled "Getting Through Tough Economic Times" which offers resources and referrals to help people cope with the recession's repercussions. The guide includes information on spotting signs of mental distress and contains links to agencies and organizations that can offer assistance.
  
• Stress management tools — WebMD offers general tips and tools to help you manage your stress.

Strong turnout for Healthy Incentives^SM 

Over 10,500 employees and spartners completed their wellness assessments and individual action plans by June 30, taking the high road to better health while qualifying for lower out-of pocket expense levels next year.

What should you pay attention to now?

• If you haven’t already received a letter from Healthways informing you of your individual out-of-pocket expense level, you should receive one by July 31. And, if you cover a spouse or domestic partner under your county medical plan, he or she will receive a separate letter confirming his or her out-of-pocket expense level for 2010.
  
  
• If you cover a spouse or domestic partner, your family’s out-of-pocket expense level will be determined by the lowest level of your combined participation. If you both earned the gold level, then your family level will be gold. However, if one of you earned gold and the other earned silver, for example, you, your spouse or domestic partner, and any other dependents covered under your county medical plan will be silver.
  
  
• If you disagree with the out-of-pocket expense level that Healthways gives you, you may appeal that level by contacting Healthways at 877-279-0624 toll-free from Aug. 1 – 31. If you appeal, you will need to provide specific documentation supporting your appeal. Documentation includes the certificate of completion for online logs, a copy of your completed paper log and either a fax or a mailing receipt, and either dates or confirmation numbers for coaching calls.
  
  
• If you do not receive a letter from Healthways by July 31, then please call 877-279-0624 toll-free to ask why you haven’t received one.

For other questions about the Healthy Incentives^SM program or your benefits, contact Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556 or kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov.

“I consider myself a very healthy person and already make healthy lifestyle choices however the coaching program is quite beneficial. It helps me maintain my health by setting goals to continue certain healthy habits yet also allows me to set new goals to take my health to an even higher level. The coach helps me keep my three or four goals on the top of my mind and provides some accountability as I want to have good news to share on the next call.”

Chris Savage
Commercial Appraiser
King County Department of Assessments

Quit Tobacco Resources

King County Employee Resources:

• Free Online Customized Support – QuitNet. Provided by King County for employees and their families, this program provides customized information to support quitting tobacco. Call BROS at 206-684-1556 for your access code, then log on to www.quitnet.com/kingcounty to register. Your participation is confidential.
  
• Free Telephone Support – Call the King County Tobacco Quit Line at 1-877-279-0624.
  
• Reimbursement for the patch and other nicotine replacement treatment – Both KingCare^SM and Group Health offer free or remimbursed over-the-counter drugs such as the patch, gum etc. Go to the Health Matters Quit Tobacco site or call 206-684-1556 for details.
  
• See your doctor - Group Health and Aetna/KingCare^SM members may schedule a visit with their doctor for tobacco cessation help including developing a quit plan and discussing available pharmacological and over the counter medications. Visits are subject to regular copays or coinsurance.

Community Resources:

• Washington State Quit Line – 877-270-STOP (7867) or online at quitline.com.
  
• Public Health - Seattle & King County – call 206-296-7613 for information on community resources and other tools to help you quit.
  
• American Cancer Society – 800-ACS-2345 or online at www.cancer.org.